Absurd character-based comedy
September 1, 2005 7:14 AM Subscribe
I like tootpastefordinnger, Donald Barthelme, Russel Edson, and Monty Python & Kids in the Hall when they are reveling in pure absurdity (and not parody). What else would I like?
Just to narrow things down a bit, I'm not a fan of Douglas Adams. I see why people like him, but he's a bit to scematic for me. "The Far Side" was too formulaic for me. It rarely surprised me. I like comedy that's wilder and settles just on the edge of not-making-sense. I DON'T like satire or parody. I LOVE character humor -- and when it's mixed with absurity, I like it even better. I love Peter Sellers in "Lolita." I like the Brian Fellows skits that used to be on "Saturday Night Live" but dislike most of the rest of the show.
Just to narrow things down a bit, I'm not a fan of Douglas Adams. I see why people like him, but he's a bit to scematic for me. "The Far Side" was too formulaic for me. It rarely surprised me. I like comedy that's wilder and settles just on the edge of not-making-sense. I DON'T like satire or parody. I LOVE character humor -- and when it's mixed with absurity, I like it even better. I love Peter Sellers in "Lolita." I like the Brian Fellows skits that used to be on "Saturday Night Live" but dislike most of the rest of the show.
The Upright Citizens Brigade is good. The first season is also available on DVD.
posted by the biscuit man at 7:24 AM on September 1, 2005
posted by the biscuit man at 7:24 AM on September 1, 2005
You should watch The Magic Christian. Also with Peter Sellers.
posted by Constant Reader at 7:31 AM on September 1, 2005
posted by Constant Reader at 7:31 AM on September 1, 2005
The Parking Lot is Full - I think this might be the sort of thing you're looking for. The strip ended in 2002, but the archives are still up.
You might like Buttercup Festival, although it leans beyond absurdity towards the truly surreal. Again, the strip is no longer being written, but there are large archives.
posted by ubersturm at 7:32 AM on September 1, 2005
You might like Buttercup Festival, although it leans beyond absurdity towards the truly surreal. Again, the strip is no longer being written, but there are large archives.
posted by ubersturm at 7:32 AM on September 1, 2005
What about League of Gentlemen? Absurd, violent, sometimes funny and/or horrific, sometimes just random.
Besides, it gives you an excuse to ask your friends whether they're "local people".
posted by selfnoise at 7:38 AM on September 1, 2005
Besides, it gives you an excuse to ask your friends whether they're "local people".
posted by selfnoise at 7:38 AM on September 1, 2005
Have you checked out any SCTV? Lots of crazy characters and ridiculous sketches like Dr. Tongue's 3D House of Pancakes.
posted by jrossi4r at 7:40 AM on September 1, 2005
posted by jrossi4r at 7:40 AM on September 1, 2005
Space Ghost Coast To Coast
posted by matildaben at 7:44 AM on September 1, 2005
posted by matildaben at 7:44 AM on September 1, 2005
I second The State. Maybe even Stella, though it isn't so much character based, but it is rather absurdist.
posted by bwilms at 7:57 AM on September 1, 2005
posted by bwilms at 7:57 AM on September 1, 2005
Fawlty Towers. Best. Sitcom. Ever.
Not sure if its available on DVD or not, but I've seen a .torrent of both seasons floating around out there.
posted by kableh at 7:59 AM on September 1, 2005
Not sure if its available on DVD or not, but I've seen a .torrent of both seasons floating around out there.
posted by kableh at 7:59 AM on September 1, 2005
I love Don B... you might try some of TC Boyle's early short story collections (not sure about his novels.) Possiby George Saunders, Robert Coover, Aimee Bender's short stories, Stacey Richter (check out this story.)
As for TV Comedy, I dont think you can beat Curb Your Enthusiasm, Strangers With Candy an,d the Office.
posted by drobot at 8:02 AM on September 1, 2005
As for TV Comedy, I dont think you can beat Curb Your Enthusiasm, Strangers With Candy an,d the Office.
posted by drobot at 8:02 AM on September 1, 2005
Anything by Armando Iannucci. Check out some clips here. The original Armando Iannucci Show, of which only eight episodes were made, is the most brilliant, absurd televised comedy I've ever seen. You can occasionally find them on torrents.
posted by soiled cowboy at 8:02 AM on September 1, 2005
posted by soiled cowboy at 8:02 AM on September 1, 2005
I disagree with the recommendation of SCTV for this person -- they do a lot of parody, not so much absurdity.
I would second The State, Stella, Arrested Development. Especially Arrested Development. Best show on free television.
You should also try to watch the ASSSSCAT! improv show on Bravo on Sept 7th -- it features the original UCB cast, should be a good 'un.
posted by TonyRobots at 8:09 AM on September 1, 2005
I would second The State, Stella, Arrested Development. Especially Arrested Development. Best show on free television.
You should also try to watch the ASSSSCAT! improv show on Bravo on Sept 7th -- it features the original UCB cast, should be a good 'un.
posted by TonyRobots at 8:09 AM on September 1, 2005
Season 1 of "Little Britain" has just been released in the US. It stars and is written by Matt Lucas and David Walliams, both of whom have been on the British comedy scene for about 10 years (I was at high school with Matt Lucas). Some of the comedy many shoot straight over the heads of people not attuned to the British sense of humour. It's a contemporary of "The League of Gentlemen" mentioned above, too, but is more absurd sketch comedy with recurring characters than an absurdist situation comedy for 'local' people.
posted by DannyUKNYC at 8:12 AM on September 1, 2005
posted by DannyUKNYC at 8:12 AM on September 1, 2005
Trigger Happy TV was an essay in the absurd in the guise of a hidden camera show…
posted by misteraitch at 8:15 AM on September 1, 2005
posted by misteraitch at 8:15 AM on September 1, 2005
I'd add another warning to DannyUKNYC suggestion about Little Britain: it is on the cringe-comedy side of absurd, lots more than Curb Your Enthusiasm, though not as much as Nighty Night. That was so cruel and disturbing you felt guilty just for watching. But it was definitely fascinating.
I also second the Iannucci suggestion from soiled cowboy.
My own personal favourite: Black Books. Lots of surreal and character humour.
posted by funambulist at 8:43 AM on September 1, 2005
I also second the Iannucci suggestion from soiled cowboy.
My own personal favourite: Black Books. Lots of surreal and character humour.
posted by funambulist at 8:43 AM on September 1, 2005
Expanding on Soiled Cowboy choice of Armando Iannucci why not just go to Chris Morris.
The Day today, Brass Eye etc etc
posted by stuartmm at 8:46 AM on September 1, 2005
The Day today, Brass Eye etc etc
posted by stuartmm at 8:46 AM on September 1, 2005
Just a Minute - listen on the web. The 99p Challenge is also a good chance to hear Iannucci but doesn't seem to be on at the moment.
posted by teleskiving at 8:53 AM on September 1, 2005
posted by teleskiving at 8:53 AM on September 1, 2005
Don Hertzfeld? (Did I spell that right?)
Perry Bible Fellowship?
posted by cortex at 9:49 AM on September 1, 2005
Perry Bible Fellowship?
posted by cortex at 9:49 AM on September 1, 2005
I'll second Aqua Teen Hunger Force and Sealab 2021, but stick to the first season of each. Both got a lot less funnier after that, Sealab especially (god I miss Harry Goz).
posted by kableh at 10:28 AM on September 1, 2005
posted by kableh at 10:28 AM on September 1, 2005
Response by poster: Wow. I must have communicated better than I thought I did. I love B. Kliban, Just a Minute, Fawlty Towers, and Curb Your Enthusiasm. I'll check out the other recommendations. Thanks. Please keep them coming -- especially websites or web comics that I might like. No one (including me) mentioned "The Office," so: "The Office."
posted by grumblebee at 11:26 AM on September 1, 2005
posted by grumblebee at 11:26 AM on September 1, 2005
I can't believe nobody mentioned Girls Are Pretty, which I read daily.
posted by skryche at 2:06 PM on September 1, 2005
posted by skryche at 2:06 PM on September 1, 2005
The first few seasons of South Park contain some wonderful surreal comic moments and deserve a mention, I think they are underrated.
You have probably seen Achewood before but I'm going to recommend it again. I love the way Onstad develops the characters.
posted by teleskiving at 2:20 PM on September 1, 2005
You have probably seen Achewood before but I'm going to recommend it again. I love the way Onstad develops the characters.
posted by teleskiving at 2:20 PM on September 1, 2005
You would like the stand-up comedy of Eddie Izzard. Very funny, and intelligent stuff. He's got a ton of concerts on dvd to choose from.
posted by Radio7 at 4:02 PM on September 1, 2005
posted by Radio7 at 4:02 PM on September 1, 2005
More about Little Britain here. You can watch clips at the BBC site, listen to the radio show from BBC4, and buy the DVDs just about everywhere. I love it, but I am a lady.
posted by obiwanwasabi at 4:30 PM on September 1, 2005
posted by obiwanwasabi at 4:30 PM on September 1, 2005
Older series, 1970s...right up your alley (me thinks)
The Goodies
Amazon link:
the Goodies
posted by filmgeek at 7:38 PM on September 1, 2005
The Goodies
Amazon link:
the Goodies
posted by filmgeek at 7:38 PM on September 1, 2005
Older series, 1970s...right up your alley (me thinks)
The Goodies
Amazon link:
the Goodies
posted by filmgeek at 7:38 PM on September 1, 2005
The Goodies
Amazon link:
the Goodies
posted by filmgeek at 7:38 PM on September 1, 2005
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by bondcliff at 7:17 AM on September 1, 2005